Welcome to The Ohio Department of Aging

Please Note: You are viewing the non-styled version of The Ohio Department of Aging. Either your browser does not support Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) or it is disabled. We suggest upgrading your browser to the latest version of your favorite Internet browser.

Ohio Department of Aging Press Release

Nationally recognized speakers share their expertise with more than 600 stakeholders

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Person-Centered Care Coalition Conference, "Creating Home through Choice and Purpose," held today in Columbus, informed and encouraged more than 600 professionals in aging that are eager to change the culture of their industry. Nationally recognized speakers shared their expertise on how to create "home" in long-term care settings focused on person-centered values of choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.

Keynote speakers Bonnie Kantor-Burman and Megan Hannan inspired a renewed vitality and dedication for creating a long-term care environment where everybody feels at home. Hannan, the executive leader of Action Pact, has provided insight and support around culture change for more than 25 years. Kantor-Burman, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, is helping to lead the state's effort to transform long-term care for its citizens while advocating for innovative person-centered approaches that emphasize quality.

"Person-centered care is a relationship-based approach to care that honors and respects the voice of elders and those working closest with them," said Kantor-Burman. "It involves a continuing process of listening, trying new things, seeing how they work, and changing practices in an effort to individualize and de-institutionalize care in any setting."

The Ohio Person-Centered Care Coalition, coordinated by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, works to influence and support transformational culture change in the long-term care environments where all individuals can experience meaning and purpose. To learn more, visit www.centeredcare.org.

About ODA - The Ohio Department of Aging works to ensure that our elders are respected as vital members of society who continue to grow, thrive and contribute. We work with state agencies and community partners, including area agencies on aging, to help integrate aging needs into local plans and ensure that aging Ohioans have access to a wide array of high-quality services and supports that are person-centered in policy and practice. Our programs include the PASSPORT Medicaid waiver, caregiver support, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov.